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Chen ready to begin rehab assignment

Chen ready to begin rehab assignment

5/12/13: Wei-Yin Chen hurls five shutout innings, holding the Twins to just five hits while recording a trio of strikeouts

By Brittany Ghiroli and Derek Wetmore
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MLB.com |

BALTIMORE -- Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen was in the clubhouse on Tuesday afternoon, and he will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday before going out on a rehab assignment on Saturday.

Chen, who arrived along with interpreter Tim Lin, is recovering from a strained left oblique, an injury sustained on May 12; manager Buck Showalter said that it's possible he'll make just one rehab start.

It hasn't been determined where Chen will pitch, but the plan is for him to go five or six innings.

"I think it's just a test," Chen said through Lin. "Get the game feeling back and that's it.

"Right now I'm pitching like it's Spring Training. It's step by step. But if I feel really good [after the] next outing, I'll definitely come back really soon."

If Chen is given the green light after Saturday, he could make three starts before the All-Star break, but Showalter said that won't happen, as the team will give him extra rest between his first few outings.

Chen is 3-3 with a 3.04 ERA in eight starts this season.

Brittany Ghiroli is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Britt's Bird Watch, and follow her on Twitter @britt_ghiroli. Derek Wetmore is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.